¡¡¡¡NANJING, May 20 (Xinhuanet) -- President Jiang Zemin has sent a letter to congratulate the 100th anniversary of the founding of nine universities in east China's Jiangsu Province.

¡¡¡¡The nine universities are Nanjing University, Southeast University, Nanjing Normal University, Hehai University, Nanjing University of Industries, Nanjing University of Agriculture, Nanjing Forestry University, Jiangsu University, and Jiangnan University.

¡¡¡¡A ceremony to mark the anniversary was held in Nanjing, the provincial capital, Monday, and was sponsored by the Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the provincial government.

¡¡¡¡In his letter, Jiang spoke highly of the glorious tradition of the schools and the achievements they have made to China's revolution, development and reform.

¡¡¡¡"Youngsters are the future of the motherland," he wrote. "The Party and the people are pinning high hopes on the younger generation."

¡¡¡¡Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, wrote an inscription for the anniversary of Nanjing University.

¡¡¡¡Vice-Premier Li Lanqing also sent a congratulation letter to the ceremony. Enditem